Slide fastener with releasing top stop



July 1, 19 2 o. J. MOEHLER 2,601,710

SLIDE FASTENER WITH RELEASING TOP STOP Filed June 26, 1948 V 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 42 QTTO J2 MOEHLER July 1, 1952 J, MOEHLER 2,601,710

SLIDE FASTENER WITH RELEASING TOP STOP FIElZ INVENTOR. OTTO I MOEHLEEZ H1313 5 BY ML ATTORNEYS Jul 1, 1952 o, J, MOEHL R 2,601,710

SLIDE FASTENER WITH RELEASING TOP STOP Filed June 26, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V E1 v T013. OTTO a. Momma ATToRN EYS.

Patented July 1, 1952 SLIDE FASTENER WITH RELEASING TOP STOP Otto J. Moehler, Newark, N. J assignor to Conmar Products Corporation, Newark, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 26, 1948, Serial No. 35,343

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to slide fasteners, especially top stops for the same, and more particularly to releasing top stops.

In separable slide fasteners provided with a releasing top stop, the slider is stopped by the releasing top stop when drawn with a normal closing force. However, a strong pull causes the slider to move past the releasing top stop, whereupon the stringers are free to be separated by a quick stripping action, without moving the slider back to the bottom stop.

One object of the present invention is to provide a releasing top stop which is inconspicuous; which is adaptable to fasteners of small size; and which does not detract from the finished appearance of commercial slide fasteners.

Other objects are to provide a releasable top stop which does not interfere with the flexibility of the tape, and which has no exposed springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a releasable top stop which functions to expand the slider within the stem portion thereof in a direction normal or transverse to the plane of the fastener and hence utilizes the most resilient or elastic portion of the slider.

A further object of the invention is to provide a releasing top stop which coactswith the slider but which in operation is independent of many dimensional variations which occur in slider manufacture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a releasable top stop which may be used with a slide fastener having either a fully separable bottom stop, as in Patent No. 2,381,359 granted to William Milkulas on August 7, 1945, or with a bottom stop which is not fully separable but which is adapted to facilitate reassembly, as disclosed in co-pending application of David Rabinow and the present inventor, filed August 31, 1945, under Serial Number 613,890, new Patent No. 2,573,058 dated Oct. 30, 1951.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, the present invention resides in the slide fastener andreleasing top stop members, and their relation one to the other as are hereinafter described in the following specification. The specification is accompanied by drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary view of a slide fastener embodying the principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 shows the slide fastener in separated condition with the slider pulled past the releasingstop and retained on one stringer;

Fig. 3 is an end view of one of the two releasing stop members, and shows how it is clamped on the tape;

Fig. 4 is a plan view with a part of the top slider wall broken away to show the releasing stop members arresting upward movement of the slider;

Fig. 5 is a section taken approximately in the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

- Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are diagrams explanatory of the operation of the invention;

Figs. 9 and 10 are views similar to Fig. 4 but illustrate progressive stages in the movement of the slider .past the releasing end stop when under a strong pull;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section taken approximately in the plane of the line ll-ll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a transverse section taken approximately in the plane of the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a section similar to Fig. 5, but illustrates a slightly modified form of releasing stop member;

Fig. 14 is a section similar to Fig. 12, but illustrating a modified form of releasing stop member;

Figs. 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 are diagrams explanatory of the operation of the modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of one of the two releasing stop members.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2, the slide fastener comprises stringers l2 and [4 having interlockable fastener elements l5 and a slider l8 movable therealong by means of a suitable handle or so-called pull 20. The stringers l2 and 14 respectively are provided with releasing stop members 22 and 24, and stringer I2 is additionally provided with a positive stop member 26 spaced above the releasing stop member 22 by an amount greater than the length of the slider l8. To insure retention of slider 18 on stringer l2, the chain of fastener elements is continued between the releasing stop 22 and the positive stop 26, as is indicated by elements 28'. The cords 30 of the stringer 14 are cut off or removed above the releasing stop 24, thereby facilitating disengagement of stringer H from the slider.

It will be understood that when the slider is drawn upwardly, its movement is arrested by the top stops 22 and 24. However, if the slider is pulled very forcibly, it moves past the releasin stops 22, 24 to the positive stop 26, as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the stringer I4 is readily pulled sidewardly from the slider, and the entire length width W of Fig. 6. relation of the stops to that shown in Fig. 8'

of the slide fastener is stripped open. It will be seen from inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 that the releasing top stops are inconspicuous, and devoid of flat plates and spring wires of the character heretofore required. Instead, the stop members are small solid metal parts. They are complementary, as is best shown in Fig. 5., their inner edges 3%! and 34being thinned or cut away on opposite sides for overlapping engagement. As here shown, they are sloped to form what may be termed wedge-stop members which assemble in overlapping relation. The operation will be explained in greater detail later, but it may be preliminarily stated at this point thatthe members 22 and 24 are so dimensioned that when they overlap they exceed the normal height of the' slider channel. In the specific form here shown when the height of the wedge-stop assembly equals the height of the slider channel the width f8 upward-1y or in fastener-closing direction, the

steps '22 and 24 enter the divergent branches of the 'Y-shaped slider channel and move past the neck 36 until they reach approximately the position shown in the drawing. The overall width of the stop members 22, 24 (measured in the plane of the tapes [2 and I4) is such that the stop assembly cannot pass the stem portion of the Y-shaped slider channel. The stops 22 and 24' are, of course, urged toward each other by the convergent ways or flanges 38 of the slider, and the sloping surfaces 32 and 34 overlap somewhat at the bottom. This causes a slight relative displacement of the stops and tapes in a direction transverse of the plane of the tapes, as is shown in Fig. 5, in which the stop 24 has crept up on stop 22' enough to just use up the clearance which the stop members have within the slider. The width of the stop assembly remains greater than the width of the stem portion of the slider channel, and the slider does not'move past the stop assembly, under normal force.

If agreater than normal force is applied. the flanges 38 of the slider force the stops 22' and 24 closer toward each other, whereupon the stops spread the slider wings apart.

This action is explained in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, referring to which the slider is assumed to have upper and lower wing 40' and 42, with a channel therebe'tween having a width W and a height H. This refers to the stem portion of the Y-shaped slider channel. The width W cannot change, but the heightI-I may be elastically expanded, as indicated by the dotted line positions 40' and 42,

resulting ina greater channel height H.

-' Referring now to Fig. 7, the wedge-stop assembly, made up of stops and 66, has a height H, and has a width W which is greater than the However, by changing the the wi'dth of the assembly may be reduced to the dimension W, but at the same time the height is increased to .a height H greater than the height H. This height H is kept within the amount to. which the slider may be elastically expanded, the resilience of the slider causing it to return to normal channel height H after the slider has been forced past the releasing stop assembly.

In Fig. 9, the slide fastener stringers l2 and M are completely united up to the stop members '22 and 24,, and the slider 18 hastbeen' forced upwardly enough to move the stops into parallel relation, with the sloping edges engaging each other throughout their length. This causes a spreading of the slider wings, as suggested in Fig. 6, and as is best shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In Fig. 11 the wings have been spread from the broken line position 40, 42 to the solid line positiont'flpfl. The material of the slider makes a good spring for this purpose, and I have found that thisis true regardless of whether the slider is coined or die cast, riveted or welded, etc.

In Fig. 12 it will be noted that stop 24 and stringer M are displaced further upwardly relative to stop 22 andistringer l2, than was the case in Fig. 6.. On continued movement of the slider in the same direction, the stop members move through the channel or the slider, as is indicated by the change from Fig. 9 to Fig. 10, until finally the slider moves entirely past the stops. The

' stringers can now be stripped open from the top,

it being remembered that the upper end of stringer H above thereleasable top stop has no fastener elements and no cord.

The slider, meantime; is stopped by the positive top stop 26, and is retained on stringer 12 by the elements 28 (Figs. 1 and 199. Because of the rstrong'force with which the "slider is pulled past'the releasable stops, the positive stop 26 may be applied arounda fastener element 45 in order to reenforce it.

The releasable stops are preferably secured to the tapes by slotting the outer edges to form jaws which are clamped over the beaded edges of the tapes. .Fig. 3 is anv end view of the stop member, with the jaws #8 and in spread con- :dition. When the jaws are clamped together around the tape, they assume the broken line position 48', 50.

In Fig. 3 the stop is the same as that shown in Figs. 5- and 1 2, that is, it includes ashoulder 52 which strengthens the jaws against'opening. However, the stop need not havethis cross-section, and instead may have a simpleslopin-g surface such as is shown in Fig.- 13, which is-generallylike Fig. 5, but in whichthe stop members 54 and 56 do not have shoulders;

Reverting to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the stop 24 is preferably bevel-led at its upper end, as indicated at 5-8. This is intended to prevent interference with the neck. portion of. the slider when the slider is moved downwardly after having been pulled upwardly to the normal stop position shown in Fig. 4. It is enough to bevel the stop member 2'4. However, for the sake of symmetry, and for convenience in production, both members are made identical, and member 22, accordingly', has a bevel 6G;

The stop members so far described and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 13 depend for their operation upon the width of the slider between the flanges, for the flanges force the stop members toward each other, this lateral force being "translated, through the sloping or wedge faces, into a force exerted upon the inner-faces of the slider halves to expand the slider in a direction normal or transverse to the plane-of the fastener. However, such a wedg-ing action is not at all essential to the practice of the invention, and am'odification having no lateral wedge action, and which consequently is independent of the exact Width of the slider between flanges, is shown in Figs. 14, 15, 17, 19, and 20 of the drawing.

Under ideal conditions the top and bottom sides or wings of a slider are in perfect alignment; that is to say, the opposite inner flange surfaces are in exactly the same planes a--a and b---b as shown in Fig. 16. The distance between the coincident planes within the stem portion of the slider channel is designated X. However,

in slider manufacture (whether of the two-piece welded or the unitary one-piece variety) there frequently occurs a misalignment of the flanges on opposite slider halves, of the order of one or a few thousandths of an inch. This is illustrated in exaggerated form in Fig. 18, the misalignment being indicated by the dot-dash lines a'a and b--b In such instances the positions of the inner flanges determine the effective working Width of the slider channel. The working width, marked X in Fig. 18, becomes less than the ideal width X in Fig. 16.. Thus, even with careful manufacture there are three variables; the distance between the inner faces of the top and bottom wings, the distance between the flanges of the individual slider halves, and the distance between the innermost flange of one slider half and the innermost flange of the other slider half.

To overcome or eliminate two of these variables, the complementary releasing stop members ID and 12 in Fig. 14 are designed so that in operation they are independent of the width of the slider channel.

The complementary stop members and 12 are each provided with substantially right angled, confronting surfaces 14, I6 and I3, 80, re-

spectively. The portions 14 and 18 may be termed steps, and the portions 16 and 80, risers. The stop members Hi and E2 may be identical, having the same height Y, which is equal to or less than the normal height of the slider channel. The height of the step Ya. of each stop is slightly greater than half the height of the slider channel, so that when any portion of the steps 14 and 18 are in overlapping relation, the overall height Y of the assembly is greater than the height of the individual members and the normal height of the channel. The stop assembly then acts to expand the slider to a corresponding channel height Y as is indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 16 and 18. Preferably, the stops are provided with beveled corner edges 82 and .84 to facilitate the steps 74 and 18 slipping over into overlapping or meshing relation. However, the steps themselves are simply flat and parallel to the flat top and'bcttom faces of the stops.

Fig. illustrates the position of the stop members prior to their entry into the stem portion of the slider channel. As shown in Figs. 16 to 19,

the particular width of the stem portion of the channel width. Whatever the actual channel width, the overall height Y of the assembled, coacting stops, and the consequent position of the slider halves after expansion, is the same for the different widths of channel. The width of each stop member is such that portions of the flat steps 14 and 18 are in overlapping engagement within the stem portion of the slider channel, even when the channel is of maximum width. The slider flanges 38 function primarily as guides for the stops. They insure some overlap, but the amount of overlap is unimportant. The stops I0 and 12 are each provided with jaws 8B, 88 and 90, 92, respectively, to permit clamping upon the beaded edge of their respective tapes l2 and Hi. If desired, one or both of the stop members l0 and 12 may be bevelled at its or their upper end or ends, as indicated at 58 and 60 in Fig. 4, for the same purpose as there ascribed thereto. This is shown at 94 in Fig. 20.

While the slider illustrated is of the welded or two-piece type, it will be understood that the invention contemplates the coaction of the releasing stop members of the present invention with a slider of the unitary or one-piece type as well.

It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of my improved slide fastener and its releasing top stop, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. The releasing stop members are relatively tiny and inconspicuous, and may be used on many commercial applications of slide fasteners where it would not be feasible to employ some of the cumbersome and unsightly types of releasing stop member heretofore available. The stop members are readily applied by simply clamping the jaws together, one at the end of the fastener elements, and the other by preliminarily removing a single fastener element to make room for the stop. The stop members are inexpensive; have no moving parts; and do not require the use of an exposed spring wire with attendant cost and trouble of assembly. Instead, the slider itself acts as a spring, for although the neck or diamond portion 36 (Fig. 11) is rigid, the opposite end portion, that is the stem portion of the Y-shaped channel, is resiliently separable for a small distance.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in several preferred forms, changes may be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements, and a slider having a Y-shaped channel, said releasing top stop comprising a pair'of complementary stop members which assemble in overlapping relation, said members each having a width in the plane of the tapes anda height in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the tapes no greater than the width and height of the slider channel, whereby either member alone can pass freely through the slider, said members being so shaped, dimensioned, and related that they partially overlap in the stem portion of the slider, and the height of the assembly of the stop members with portions thereof in overlapping relation exceeds the normal height of the stem portion of the channel, but does not exceed the height to which the stem portion of the channel may be elastically expanded, whereby the slider is arrested when pulled with a normal force yet may be pulled past the stop as sembly by a strong pull.

2. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair ofcstringersxhaving interlocking fastenerelements and a slider having. a Y-shaped channel}. the sides-of said slider being connected atone end and being slightly resiliently separable at the other end or stelnofthe Y, said releasing top stop comprising complementary stop members adapted to assemble in overlapping-relation when the stringers are brought together by the slider, each stop member being a, relatively solid nonresilient block of material having a width less than the width of the slider channel and a height less than the height of the slider channel, the adjacent edges of said-stop members being thinned on opposite sides to come into overlapping relation, and said members being so shaped, dimensioned and related that when the members are brought into overlapping relation their combined height exceeds'thenormal height of the stem portion ofthe channel, but does not exceed the height to which the stem portion of the channel may be elastically expanded, whereby the slider is arrested when pulled. with a-normal force, yet may bepulledpastthe stop assembly by a strong pull.

3. A quick-disassembly slide fastener comprising' a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements, a slider having a Y-shaped channel, and'a releasing'top stop assembly, said releasing top stop comprisinga pair of complementary stop members which assemble in overlapping relation, saidmembers each having a width in the plane of the tapes and a height in adirection perpendicular to the plane of the tapes no greater than the width and height of the slider channel, whereby either member alone can pass freely throughthe slider; said complementary stop members being so dimensioned that they partially overlap in the stemrportion of the slider, and the height of the assembly with portions of the complementary stop members in overlapping relation, exceeds the normal height of the stemportion of the channel, but does not exceed the height to'which the stem portion of the channel may be elastically expanded under abnormal force, whereby the slider is arrested when pulled with a normal force yet may be pulled past the stop assembly by a strong pull, the resilience ofthe slider causingit to return to normal channel height.

4. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements, and a slider having a Y-shaped-channel, said releasing top stop comprising complementary stop members which assemble in overlapping relation.

to form a wedge-stop assembly, said members being so shaped, dimensioned, and related that when the height of the wedge-stop assembly equals the height of the slider channel the width of the assembly exceeds the width of the stem portion of the channel, thereby arresting upward movement of the slider when pulled with a normalforce, and when the stop members overlap so that the width of the wedge-stop assembly is reduced to the Width of the stem portion of the channel the height of the assembly exceeds the normal height of the channel but does not exceed the height to which the channel may be elastically expanded, whereby the slider may be pulled past the wedge-stop assembly by a strong pull.

5. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers and a-slider having a Y-shaped channel, said: topstop comprising complementary stop members having a combined width greater than the widthvof the stem portion-of the channel and the inner edges of which are sloped to form wedge-stop members which assemble with the sloping edges in overlapping relation, said members being so dimensioned thatwhen. the height of the wedge-stop assembly equals the height of the slider channel the width of, the assembly exceeds the width of the stem portion of the channel, thereby arresting upward movement of'the slider when pulled with a normaLforce, and when the widthof thewedge-stop assembly is reduced to the width of the stem portion-of the channel'the height of the assembly exceeds the normal height ofv the channel but does not exceed the height to which the channel may be elastically expanded under abnormal force, whereby the slider may be pulled past the wedge-stop assembly by a strong pull, the resilience of the slider causing it to'return to normal channel height.

6. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for-use withalslide fastener. including a pair of stringers and a slider havinga Y-shaped channel said top stop comprising'complementary stop membershaving a combined. width greater than the width of 'the stem portion of the channel and the inner edges' of which are sloped to form wedge-stop members which assemble with the sloping edges in overlapping relation, said members being so' dimensioned that when the height of the Wedge-stop assembly'equals' the height of the slider channelthe width of the assembly exceeds the width of the stem portion of the channel, thereby arresting upward movement of the slider when pulled with a normal force, and when the width of the wedge-stop assembly is reduced to the width of the stem portion of the channel theheight of the assembly exceeds the normal height of the channel but does not exceed the height to which the channel may be elastically expanded under abnormal force, whereby the slider maybe pulled past the wedge-stop assembly by a strong pull, the resilience'of the slider causing it to return to normal channel height, said wedge-stop members being'bevelled at the upper ends of the sloping or wedge-like inner edges to minimize interference with the neck of the slider.

7. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pairof stringers and a slider having a Y shaped channel, said top stop comprising complementary stop members'having a combined width greater than the width of the stem portion of'the channel, saidistop' members being relatively solid nonresilient blocks of material the outer edges of which are slotted to form jaws clamped over the beaded edges of the tapes ofthe stringers; and the inner edges of which are sloped to form wedge-stop members which assemble with the sloping edges. in overlapping relation, said membersbeing so dimensioned that-when the height of the wedge-stop assembly equals'the height of the slider channel the Width of the assembly exceeds the Width of the stem portion of the channel, thereby arresting'upward movement of the slider when pulled with a normal force, and when the widthof the. wedge-stop assembly is reduced to the width oft the stem portion of the channel the height of'thea assembly exceeds the normal height ofithe. channel but does not exceed the height to which the channel may be elastically expanded under abnormal force whereby the slidermayb'e'pulled past the wedge- 512 p assembly by a strong pull, the resilience of the slider causing it to return to normal channel i ht d 's i d -st membe being bevelled at the ipper ends of the slopinginner edges inorder to minimize interference with the neck of the slider. v

8. A quick-disassembly slide fastenehcompris: ingja pair of stringers having interlockihg, i"as-. tener elements, a slider, having a Y -shaped channel, a releasing top stop assembly, said releasing top stop comprising complementary stop members the inner edges of which are sloped to form wedge-stop members which assemble with the sloping edges inoverlapping relation, said members being so dimensioned that when the height of the wedge-stop assembly" equals the height of the slider channel the width of the as sembly exceeds the width of the stem portion of the channel, thereby arresting upward movement of the slider whenpulled with a normal force, and when the complementary stop membersoverlap so that the width of the wedge-stop assembly equals the width of the stem portion of the channel the height of the assembly exceeds thenormal height of the channel but doesnotexceed the height to which the channel may be elastically expanded under abnormal force, whereby the slider may be pulled past the wedgestop assembly by a strong pull, the resilience of the slider causing it to return to normal channel height.

9. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements, and a slider having a Y-shaped channel, said releasing top stop comprising a pair of complementary stop members which assemble in overlapping relation, said members being so shaped, dimensioned, and related that though the height of each stop member does not exceed the height of the slider channel and the combined width of the assembly of the stop members with portions thereof in overlapping relation in the stem portion of the channel does not exceed the Width of said stem portion of the channel, the height of the assembly exceeds the normal height of said stem portion of the channel, but does not exceed the height to which the stem portion of the channel may be elastically expanded, whereby the slider is arrested when pulled with a normal force yet may be pulled past the stop assembly by a strong pull.

10. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements and a slider having a Y-shaped channel, the

sides of said slider being connected at one end and being slightly resiliently separable at the other end or stem of the Y, said releasing top stop comprising complementary stop members adapted to assemble in overlapping relation when the stringers are brought together by the slider, each stop member being a relatively solid nonresilient block of material having a height less than the height of the slider channel, the adjacent edges of said stop members being stepped on opposite sides to come into overlapping relation, and said members being so shaped, dimensioned and related that when the members are brought into overlapping relation their combined width does not exceed the width of the stem portion of the channel yet their combined height exceeds the normal height of said stem portion, but does not exceed the height to which the stem portion of the channel may be elastically expanded,

whereby the slider is arrested when pulled with a normal force, yet may be pulled past the stop assembly byastrong pull.

11. A' releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements and a slider having a Y-shaped channel, the sides of said slider being connected at one end and being slightly resiliently separableatthe other end or stem of the Y, said releasing top stop comprising complementary stop members adapted to assemble in overlapping" relation when the stringers are brought together by the slider, each stoprnember being a relatively solid non-resilient block of material formed at its confronting face with a substantially right angled step portion, said stepportion having a slightly greater heightthan' its riserand being provided at its'leading'edge with abevel, said stop members each'having a totalheight ofstep and riser portions less than the height of the slider channel, said members being so dimensioned and relatedthat when the step portions arebrought into overlapping relation the combined width of the stop members does not exceed the width of the stem portion of the channel, yet their combined height exceeds the normal height of the stem portion, but does not exceed the height to which the stem portion of the channel may be elastically expanded, whereby the slider is arrested when pulled with a normal force, yet may be pulled past the stop assembly by a strong pull.

12. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements, and a slider having a Y-shaped channel, said releasing top stop comprising complementary stop members adapted to assemble in overlapping relation when the stringers are brought together by the slider, each stop member having a width less than the width of the slider channel and a height less than the height of the slider channel, the adjacent edges of said stop members being stepped on opposite sides to come into overlapping relation, said steps having a width so great that the members, when overlapped, have a combined width less than the width of the stem portion of the channel, and said steps having a height slightly greater than half the height of the slider channel so that when said members are brought into overlapping relation their combined height exceeds the normal height of the stem portion of the channel, but does not exceed the height to which the stem portion of the channel may be elastically expanded, whereby the slider is arrested when pulled with a normal force, yet may be pulled past the stop assembly by a strong pull.

13. A releasing or quick-disassembly top stop for use with a slide fastener including a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements, and a slider having a Y-shaped channel, the sides of said slider being connected at one end and being slightly resiliently separable at the other end or stem of the Y, said releasing top stop comprising complementary stop members adapted to assemble in overlapping relation when the stringers are brought together by the slider, each stop member being a relatively solid nonresilient block of material having a width less than the width of the slider channel and a height less than the height of the slider channel, the adjacent edges of said stop members being stepped on opposite sides to come into overlapping relation, said steps being flat and parallel to the when said members are brought into overlapping relation their combined height exceeds the nor-" mal height of the stem portion of the channel, but does not exceed the height to which the stein portion of the channel may be elastically ex panded, whereby the slider is arrested when pulled with a normal force, yet may be pulled past the stop'assembly by a strong pull.

1'4. A quick-disassembly slide fastener com prising a pair of stringers having interlocking fastener elements, a slider having a Y-shape'd channel, a releasing top stop assembly, said releasing top stop comprising a pair of c'ompleinentary'stop members which assemble in overlapping relation, said complementary stop mam bers being so dimensioned that though the height of each does not exceed the height of the slider channel and the combined width of the assembly of the stop members with portions thereof in overlapping relation in the stem portion of the 12 channel does not exceed the" width "of said steiii portion of the channel", the'height-o'f the assembly exceeds" the mr ai Height of said stern portion of the channel, butdoesnoeexcee'd the height be which the Stem porfiibn Of the channel may "be elastically expanded under abnormal force, whereby the slider is' arrested when pulled with a normal force yet may be pulled past the stop assembly by a strong pull, the resilience of the slider causing it to return to" normal channel height. V OTTO J. MOEHLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this atent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I 4 Name Date 2,190,698 roux l Feb. 13, 1940 2,1 0,609 ar'nstrom Feb". 13, 1940 2,3;1'33; Parkin Feb. 8,1944 2,331,359 Mikuglas Aug; 7, 1945 2,422,093 Grimm ,June 10,1947 ,438,614 Morin Mar. 30, I943 

